The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-05-10
MILLIONAIRES on TRIAL.
The Grent OIL Conspiracy-The Standard
Company In It. ~


BUFFALO, N. Y, May 9.-The oil con
spiracy trial was resumed this morning
G. B. Matthews, President OF the Buffalo
Lubricaiing Oil Works, was recalled by
the District Attorney and asked: "Have
you acquired any knowledge OF petroleum
go as to positively state whether vapor
arising from hot fire under etill, The
aame as the fire kirdled by Miller in 1882
is intlammable?"
"Yes, sir. l have seen several men
burned to death by the .vapor exploding
or taking fire. 1t is almost impossible tC
extinguish FIRE OF this kind"
"Please state at what times the Buffalo
Lubricating Oil Works have had difficulty
in obtaining crude oil"
Eat several times. We first bought oul
oils at the Atlas works until they were
cold out to the Standard Company"
"How do you know that the Atlas Com.
pRny sold out to the Standard?"
swell, ssw John D. Archibald, Heury
b. Rogers and other New York gentlemen
on the grounds making some kind Of q
deal one day. I went over and shook
hands with Archibald and said: We'll
Johnny, it looks as if We we're going to BIZ
neighbors,' and he laughed and said: 4
guess eo.'"
"Have you any other kuowledge?"
"Yes. There was change in superin.
tendents shortly aiterward."
81 ask to have this evidence stricken
out" said Attorney Coggswell, for the de.
fendants. ut doesn't prove anything at
ALL"
ut might as well appear" ruled Judge
Haight, "for it will make no difference
either way"
"Now let us 30 back" said Mr.. Qaimby.
before you left Rochester what conver-
sation did you have with Charles NJ. Ev-
crest, Of the Vacuum Company?
"In 1850 he told me to 20 to New York
aud talk with Archibald about selling our
Wyoming salt property. Archibald told
me that the Standard Company did not
think much of'the salt property. Shortly
after this trip Mr. Everest sent me to
New York again to see Henry Rogers in
relation to the Flsury patent. l always
mot these New York gentlemen at the
Standard Oil Company's Office on Pearl
etreet. After l returned to Rochester, !
told O. N. Everest that after consulting
several patent attorneys the Fleury patent
could not be sustained. The Vacuum Oil
Company then dropped the case, but af-
terwsrds sued tho Buffalo Lubricating Oil
Works for using the Same patent, just to
make trouble. In 1880 Mr.. Everest want.
ed me to 90 to Europe. After little
while consented to 90, but tho Vacuum
people then told me that they could not
do anything. He said: "Matthews, we
do not run this buainess."
All this evidence was introduced to
prove that the Standard Company are di.
rectly interested in the Vacuum Oil Com.
pany, Of Rochester. The entire morning
session was taken up with the cross.exam.
ination OF Mr.. Matthew'S. There we're nc
new developments.
Mr.. Matthews is tall, heavy man, with
prominent features, full black beard and
mustache and grizzly gray hair. His eyes
arc keenly black. He speaks emphatical
ly aud has determined expression oI
countenance that shows fight.
Nine years ago Matthews was peaceful
farmer in the Wyoming Valley, and {
good one. In 1878 Hiram Everett invaded
farmer Matthews place and put him ir
charge Of some wells which were beini
drilled for oil, Instead OF oil they fount
salt. Mr.. Matthews WAS a smart man ant
wanted to become an oil msgnate, so h,
obtained employment with the Vacuum
Oil Company, and afterwards became Pres
ident OF tho Buffalo Lubricating Company
which the delendants are charged will
trying to ruin. F4
On cross examination Matthews said b,
worked for the Vacuum Oil Compan,
from 1878 TIL 1851, and that J.. Scott Wi
son was the frat to suggest to him to leav
that company and start the Lubricatin
Oil Company. Witness was questioned
as to various alleged statements abou
preparing to squeeze the Standard Oh
Company. making 1t come to his term
and buy him out, etc., but witness eithe
denied making thom, or did not recoI
!. lect. .s- m